Uzbek army conscripts to face competitive selection process

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TASHKENT - Uzbekistan’s army conscription system has undergone a major shake-up. At the end of November the president signed a decree pursuant to which the army will now draft in conscripts once instead of twice a year. By way of exception, young people who commenced their military service in the autumn of 2008 will be demobbed in spring 2009 without having to complete the statutory 12-month period of service. The government views the practice of drafting in new conscripts twice a year in the spring and autumn as a legacy of the old Soviet system, in which conscripts served for 24 months, and claims that this is no longer justified in the modern era. However, experts assert that the government’s decision had more to do with Uzbekistan’s current favourable demographic situation.

Over the last decade the population of Uzbekistan rose from 19 million to 25 million, and according to UN forecasts it is set to increase further to 35 million by 2030. Young people now make up 40 percent of the population, which means that the country’s potential pool of conscripts is now larger than necessary. There are currently some 80,000 people serving in the Uzbek army.

The decree issued by president Islam Karimov makes provision for increased benefits for army conscripts. For instance, their salaries are to be doubled, while their severance pay has been set at 16 times the minimum monthly wage ($330 [USD]). The document also states that a “competitive selection system for compulsory military service” has now been introduced.

Perks for citizens serving in the army are not a new phenomenon. For example, only people who have completed their compulsory military service are allowed to work for government institutions.

Alternative and shortened forms of military service also exist in Uzbekistan. In exchange for a payment of around $200 conscripts can have their service reduced from one year to one month, after which they are legally regarded as having completed their army service; however, this makes them ineligible to receive the full financial benefits enjoyed by those who serve a whole year, which acts as a stimulus for many young people to join the army.

In the opinion of military expert Ruslan Abdullayev, the conscription shake-up will reduce the Uzbek army’s operational capacity. “Since conscription will occur once a year in February and March, and conscripts will be dismissed in March and April, this means that for at least three months before the new conscripts complete their initial training our army will be at less than full fighting strength,” he says.

Major Valentin Kasymbekov does not believe the overhaul will have any adverse effects. “The new system will completely eliminate bullying of junior recruits by their seniors. As for the army’s operational effectiveness, we also have professional military intelligence departments, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Security Service and border guards who will be capable of dealing with any challenges that arise during this period. Also, we’re not expecting any full-scale attacks, so the country’s military strength will not suffer,” he says.